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Flamecraft is a magical fantasy game where players race to gain the most reputation points by gathering and enchanting in a whimsical dragon town.
Key Reasons To Love This Game
It’s Such A Thoughtful Game:
One thing that makes this game a joy to play is how thoughtfully it has clearly been created. Each shop card features beautifully detailed art in a full spectrum of appealing colours. For example, ‘Drake of Cakes’, a cake shop that boasts patisseries in seemingly pistachio, strawberry, chocolate, blackberry, orange and vanilla flavours. No detail is missed, from the excitable children peeking through the shop window, to the red bow, tied to the apron on ‘Cinnabun’, a corresponding yellow (bread icon) dragon who can occupy the shop (alongside other yellow friends such as ‘Honey’ who carries a generously-decorated cake fit for any occasion, and ‘Pan’, who happily carries a loaf of bread around with him from the ‘Critical Rolls’ bakery).
Perhaps the most satisfying part of purchasing a new game is the unboxing, looking through all of the components and popping any tokens out. Something that makes unboxing Flamecraft even better, is the level of thought that has gone into the box design, from the outer design that continues inside the box, to the lightly-inked dragons that are a lovely surprise inside the box.
Another thoughtful treat that amazes me about this game is the added solo features. Whilst board games can be a a lovely (and arguably the best!) way to socialise, a game that plays solo ticks the extra boxes, perfect for a quiet, gentle evening of restoring one’s social batteries at one’s own pace. Playing solo is enhanced by achievements: 1 achievement can be unlocked when the player earns the title of ‘Flamekeeper’ (75+ reputation points) and 2 achievements can be unlocked to those earning ‘Master of the Flame’ (90+ reputation points). Achievements enable certain set ups next time the game is played, making solo players really look forward to their next game. For example, the ‘Lord of the Hoard’ achievement can be achieved once solo players have gained 75+ reputation points at the end of the previous game, and equip solo players with ‘Goldrush’ and ‘Greenhorn’ artisan dragons at the start of the new game.
Fantastic Value For Money:
The game generously provides a robust, long-lasting, colourful game town mat that rolls out to set the central scene of the game, providing places to put the smaller cards: dragons, artisan dragons and enchantments, and, arguably most importantly (depending on how competitive you are): the scoring. Having this provided in the box, rather than a cardboard version that encourages additional purchases, feels like a really good deal.
Not only this, but remember the beautiful shop cards I described? Well, there are a full 28 of them (plus 6 starter shops), with each game revealing a total of 12 of them (or 14 in games where 3-5 friends are playing), so, depending on luck of the draw, up to 3 separate games could be played where different cards are discovered at each! Accompanying these in the game box are a whopping 36 fancy dragons (which are divided into sun dragons- that can be used during gameplay - and moon dragons- that can only be played just before the end of the game), 36 artisan dragon cards (plus 6 starter dragons), 36 enchantment cards and 7 companion cards. Of course, not forgetting the tokens: for scoring, for players, for goods and for coins!
Environmental Impact:
Lots of board games still feature quite a lot of plastic parts, which often look great, but are admittedly far less than ideal for our planet. By refreshing contrast, the majority of the components in Flamecraft are card, cardboard and wood, and there are no plastic box inserts either.
Ease Of Play:
Even to those well versed in the magical boardgame hobby, overly-complicated games can sometimes be frustrating and stressful. In contrast, Flamecraft is an accessible game; the gameplay is quite simple, where players can follow each step, which summed up is really just: visit a shop, gather to collect goods, or visit a shop, if enough goods have been collected in previous turns- enchant a shop for points. Each step, including the additional gameplay steps- placing dragons/firing up dragons- is clearly laid out on player aids, which are given to each player in corresponding colours, providing a gentle gameplay guide to answer most confusions or clarifications without needing to dig out the rule book each time, avoiding long interruptions- aiding the flow of the game. Also, Flamecraft provides starter shops and starter dragons that are recommended to be used at set up, perhaps when playing the game for the first time, that play smoothly and simply. Other customisable features include two separate decks of enchantment cards, clearly distinguishable in either golden or purple, where purple is recommended for those new to Flamecraft. Also, optional companion cards, which provide player powers, for example ‘Daniel’, a pizza-eating dragon who enables a player to fire up dragons in the park (on the central game mat) rather than the usual: dragons on the shop that was enchanted.
An Immersive Experience, An Escape From Reality:
The game art really transports players to this dreamy town where dragons use their abilities to keep the town thriving. Feeling immersed in a game is one of the key aspects of the board game hobby that draws people in- it is just so relaxing and therapeutic. For example, the red (meat icon) dragon who uses their powerful ability to breathe fire to produce metals in the ‘Smith mart’ and ‘Venti’, a cute purple (potion icon) dragon who is a talented barista. After a long week of working, helping witches on broomsticks to deliver pizza, growing blooming botanicals and providing jewels, players see the dragons on other shop cards relaxing, sleeping curled up and soaking at the spa.
What Could Be Even Better About Flamecraft?
Solo Flamecraft is good, with its’ achievements and reputation titles, but it could be even better:
Whilst the addition of achievements motivates solo players to reach certain scores, the interaction between the solo player and the dummy player is limited. Yes, in a solo game player interaction is naturally limited, but if the dummy players were also able to score points, a higher sense of competition would be created that arguably, would enhance the game further.
The Space Required To Play:
Whilst die-hard boardgame fans may own a table perfect for bigger games, many of us don't, and many public spaces like cosy cafes don’t either. This is where the town play mat becomes a problem, extending up to 1+ metres long! For example, for me, playing Flamecraft at home requires pushing the coffee table up to the sofa and balancing the game on the 2.
Flamecraft Overall:
A very pretty, adorable game that provides gorgeous escapism. If you love the fantasy dragon-theme in Flamecraft, why not try ‘The Tea Dragon Society Card Game’ packed with beautiful dragons that make tea!
